Case study does not claim any particular methods for data collection or data analysis. Any and all methods of gathering data from testing to interviewing can be used in a case study, although certain techniques are used more than others. (Merriam, 1988) This study guide is concerned with qualitative case study research as opposed to quantitative because of two reasons. First, I agree with Merriam (1988) that research focused on discovery, insight and understanding from the perspectives of those being studied offers the greatest promise of making significant contributions to the knowledge base and practice of education.
Qualitative Case Study Research approaches a problem of practice from a holistic perspective in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation and its meaning for those involved. The interest is in process rather than outcomes, in context rather than a specific variable, in discovery rather than in conformation. Such insights into aspects of educational practice can have a direct influence on policy, practice and future research. Second, most case studies in education are qualitative and hypothesis-generating rather than quantitative and hypothesis-testing.
Qualitative vs. Quantative research:A qualitative research is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a complex, holistic pictures, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting. A quantitative research is an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analyzed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the predictive generalizations of the theory true. (Creswell, 1994)Creswell (1994) suggests 5 criteria in selecting between qualitative and quantitative research, namely,
1) researcher’s Worldview
2) the training and experience of the researcher
3) researcher’s psychological attributes
4) nature of the problem
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